JimGant

Out of curiousity, does anyone have knowledge of how extensions of stay have been impacted by life-changing events, like your Thai wife dies and your extension is based on her support? If you weren't yet aged 50, or couldn't meet the health or financial requirements for a retirement extension, what happens?

I would feel fairly confident Thai Immigration would show flexibility -- but does anyone have any knowledge other than a gut feeling?

Just wondering, as this *might* influence rationale for getting a retirement vs. support extension up-front if eligible for both. Yes, you could switch when you become a widower -- but by then maybe the requirement is 1.6 million in the bank, unless you were earlier in the category and thus grandfathered.......

My version 1.0 doesn't appear to be broken. Does 1.01 fix anything that anyone can tell?

Thanks all for your replies.

Pro,

Lop gives a good argument - while somewhat costly, sounds like a good insurance policy. Whatdya think?

Some cross threading going on here. I just posted a related article on the following thread:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...03entry290303

Lop,

Your info is very helpful. But still a little confusion on my part....

My biggest worry is in the bathrooms over here. Yes, the on-demand wall-mounted water heater has an ELB trip, which I guess is the same as the ELCB you mention -- and GFI in the States(?). But the wall plugs have no GFI protection. So, Safe-t-Cuts for at least the bathrooms are in order (the rest of my house has wooden floors, so I'm not as worried with them -- plus I'm not usually dripping wet when standing on them.)

But do I need a Safe-t-Cut for the wall hot water heater with its own ELB? Is this really any added protection? Also, it sounds like grounding my hot water heater serves no required safety purpose as long as I have ELB/GFI, since this is what will trip milliseconds before any circuit breaker reacts. Currently, my hot water heaters aren't grounded. And to do so would require drilling through the walls, then running the ground down the outside wall. But if my recollection of Ohm's law is correct, this had better be a finger-sized cable, and not a thin green wire, or Mr. Zap will prefer me, not the thin green wire......

Anyhow, your rationale for having the whole house Safe-t-Cut equipped makes a whole lot of sense. But there are a lot of options out there -- and the following photo of a 'micro' Safe-t-Cut is illustrative, if only by the switch option of "direct," which disengages the Safe-t-Cut. And since I do plan to Safe-t-Cut the whole house, and I am away from the house quite a lot, this option is great, since I'm not worried about electrocuting anyone when I'm away, but am worried about a gecko turning off my refrigerator. The "direct" option fits the bill.

The ECLB will trip fast if it sees 30 milliamps difference (or less if you so set)

Lop,

As usual, your electrical guidance is very instructive......but sometimes confusing to the layman (or at least, this layman).

First, is "ECLB" the generic of what a Safe-T-Cut is? I'm assuming it is, since we're talking about something that is safety related, but is not dependent on the system being grounded (earthed).

Also, you mention about setting the ECLB to something less than 30 milliamps. I've seen the Safe-T-Cuts in Home Pro with setting options -- but wouldn't have the slightest idea what my best option would be? What do the various options allow me? Probably a safety vs. too many trips option, I'm assuming....? If so, what is the "best", in your opinion, setting?

Lastly, that GFI plug on my US bought hair dryer -- is that just another variant of an ECLB?

How do you know so much about electricity? Are you a double E in a former life?

Thanks for your time.

After reading about Safe-T-Cuts here on this forum, it's time I had them installed. But perusing through Home Pro, and the options available there, I'm a little uncertain about what to get, and how difficult it is to install.

Is there an electrical business that specializes in Safe-T-Cuts here in Chiang Mai? If not, is there a store that at least is very knowledgeable about this, and who would also install?

I don't really trust my jack-of-all trades "electrician" to properly install (although they probably are easy to do -- just put them in-line with the current entering the circuit box(?)). Also, I have two power supplies/houses -- one is single phase and the other triple phase, so I'll need Safe-T-Cuts for both.

All advice, even to questions I should have asked, welcomed.

Thanx.

In response to critics of the Red Zone, Thaksin has decided

that a demonstration of human rights is in order. Consequently,

he has selected several critics of his policy, primarily academics,

to participate in his new “get to know your southern neighbor” program.

Below is one of the letters sent out..

Dear Concerned Citizen:

Thank you for your recent letter critical of our treatment of certain

citizens in the South, and their Arab and Malaysian instructors.

The administration takes these matters seriously, and your

opinion was heard loud and clear here in Bangkok.

You'll be pleased to learn that, thanks to the

concerns of citizens like you, we are creating the

Terrorist Retraining Program, to be called the

"Liberals Accept Responsibility for Killers" program,

or LARK for short. In accordance with the guidelines

of this new program, we have decided to place one

terrorist under your personal care.

Your detainee has been selected and scheduled for

transportation to your residence next Monday. Ali

Mohammed Ahmed bin Mahmud is to be cared for pursuant

to the standards you personally demanded in your

letter of admonishment. We will conduct weekly

inspections to ensure that your standards of care for

Ahmed are commensurate with those you so strongly

recommended in your letter.

Although Ahmed is sociopathic and extremely violent,

we hope that your sensitivity to what you described as

his "attitudinal problem" will help him overcome this

character flaw. Perhaps you are correct in describing

these problems as mere cultural differences.

Your adopted terrorist is extremely proficient in

hand-to-hand combat and can extinguish human life with

such simple items as a pencil or nail clippers. He is

also expert at making a wide variety of explosive

devices from common household products, so you may

wish to keep those items locked up, unless you feel

that this might offend him.

Ahmed will not wish to interact with your wife or

daughters since he views females as a subhuman form of

property. This is a particularly sensitive subject for

him. He has been known to show violent tendencies

around women who fail to comply with the dress code

that he considers appropriate, but I'm sure that over

time they will come to enjoy the anonymity offered by

the bhurka. Just remind them that it is all part of

respecting his culture and his religious beliefs.

Thanks again for your letter. We truly appreciate it

when folks like you inform us of the proper way to do

our job.

Take good care of Ahmed and good luck!

Cordially,

Thaksin Shinawatra

Chiang Mai was OK to visit, briefly, but I wouldn't want to live there.

Then don't......

In my experience here in N.O. the consul is in continual contact with the Thai embassy,and indeed no notarization was required...

Harp, the notarization 'rumor' was my attempt to be funny, which as my wife tells me, usually doesn't work.

I think MG's explanation as to why the honorary consulates don't require notarization was right on. And that's where I'll be applying, even tho' the Embassy is a 15-minute drive from my house. Their last stunt -- charging me $125 for a Multi entry NonImm 'O' good for only 6-months -- was a little too "in charge" for me. And they have a history of periodically playing this game. But anyways, glad N.O. and Houston consulates have worked out for you guys.

As Redwood has, let us know how things progress.

Still don't understand why US dollars are involved if you're wiring money to Thailand from outside the US?? This would not be necessary from Britain, France, etc etc..

Where exactly are you from?

But my thinking was that upon entering Thailand for the 2nd time(in my case it will be about 4 or 5 months after my initial entry sometime in April)

I would only be "admitted until" my OA expiration date(Feb.16,2006) NOT another 365 days as Redwood was(Twice!)

Harpman,

If you look at the O-A as just another variation of a 'normal' Multi Entry NonImmigrant Visa, it would seem you could re-enter Thailand one day before its expiration and get an 'admitted until' stamp having nothing to do with your visa's expiration, which is per usual. The Immigration guys that Redwood have experienced were apparently briefed to break-out the 365-day stamp whenever they see an "A" on the visa - which is sure better than getting a 90-day stamp,which apparently is what happened in the initial days of O-A visas.

But since the O-A is just another way of getting an extension of stay based on retirement, it would seem your 365-day clock starts ticking the first time you enter Thailand on your O-A. This identical timeframe would occur had you entered on an 'O,' and then had the extension done at Immigration. So, it would seem that, yes, you can re-enter Thailand as long as your visa is valid. But it would also seem that the original 'admitted until' date would stay constant......

But since there's nothing logical about any of this, I agree with MG about getting a read: I'd hate to be the first person to be denied re-entry, even with a valid multiple entry visa, because of mass confusion.

Besides, rumor has it that all O-A's that were obtained with non notarized paperwork will be cancelled

A common cause for "lost" money when wiring money to Thailand is because the sender checked the wrong box on the transfer paperwork, namely the 'foreign currency' box. For whatever reason, you get a much better exchange rate if you send local currency and have it converted to baht on the Thailand end, e.g. if you're sending from the US, you send dollars and thus check the "USD" box on the paperwork.

Why this is so, I don't know. You do lock in an exchange rate before the wire goes, which takes out the forex risk. But the hefty price you pay sure doesn't make sense in this day and age of speedy wire transfers.

They feel economically marginalised. The south is one of the poorest parts of the country

Well, duh. When the schools they attend teach nothing contstructive, but only Arabic, Koran memorization, and car bomb 101 -- whatya expect?

Full time schooling with subjects having no relationship to Islam should be the requirement. This, like in civilized parts of the world, would not subtract in any way their freedom to study their religion on their days off.

The red zone where inhabitants are incooperative with the government, but sympathetic to insurgent movements, will be denied development funds.

...........and why not carpet bomb the phuckers with pork chops, just for good measure.

My O-A Visa was issued 14 Oct. 2003, "good for multiple journey (s)" cost was US$125.

Went to Singapore 23 Sept. 2004 and returned 26 Sept. 2004. Admitted

Until 25 Sept. 2005.

I've never had a re-entry permit.

Redwood,

I assume Singapore was your last trip out of Thailand. And now your multi-entry O-A visa has expired (as of 13 Oct 2004). So I would assume you're out of re-entry bullets (assuming some semblance of the rules, ad hoc as they are here, are being adhered to).

Have you applied yet for a re-entry permit from Thai Immigration? If so, did they merely grant you one until 24 (or is it 25) Sept 2005 with no questions or scratched heads?

Leaving Thailand, only the Airline wants to see evidence that the passenger has the right to enter the destination Country - whiich is why you need to present either a Thai Passport with a valid Visa OR both Passports at Check in and at Boarding

Just curious, but why would you even need to show your Thai passport to the airlines when your UK passport is all that's needed to assure them of your legality to enter Britain? Is this because the agent checks to see if there's a 'departure card' stapled to your UK passport (which in this case, it wouldn't be)? I always thought the airline agent was only concerned about your right to enter the destination country, not whether or not Thai Immigration would have any problems with your papers?

But I could see where a sharp agent would be curious about why your UK passport didn't have the expected immigration stamps in it -- just as Thai Immigration might wonder why your Thai passport indicates you've left and entered Thailand many times -- but haven't gone anywhere. In both situations, obviously, you'd have your 'other' passport ready to be shown. But just showing one passport in all situations would seem prudent, if at all possible, in case you encounter an agent or Immigration Officer who hasn't the foggiest notion about dual nationality.....

Thais are well able to distinguish between Asian peoples: Chinese, Thais, Laos, Burmese, Koreans, Japanese etc

Yes, but what do they call: Singaporean Chinese; Thai Chinese; or China Chinese?

Have a feeling it's 'chine." Just like a French white person, British white person, or any European looking white person is a 'farang.' (?)

I've never thought of the word 'farang' as derogatory, since I know they really don't think I'm necessarily French ; but I sure know who they're talking about when the word comes up, and I'm the only white roundeye in the place.

Are the places we're talking about here open for lunch? (I love good restaurants, but parking and sanity seem to more prevelant in daytime.)

Over the past two decades it has become fashionable in Thailand to own foreign dog breeds, many of which are poorly suited to the country's hot climate and lack of roaming space.

Pitbulls are unsuited for ANY climate. They're bred for just one reason -- to be viscious. Everyday in the Washington Post you'll read of someone being attacked by a pitbull -- and invariably it's in the ghetto areas of Greater DC, where no doubt these retched dogs are kept solely for security reasons. Why anyone would want one as a pet is beyond me.

The criminal records check is Certified by the Florda Department of Law to be a true document.

Mike, is this what you did with your criminal check -- had it "certified?" But had the medical record (signature upon) notarized? Is this what the Thai Embassy specifically asked for?

Just curious, because my feeling (before your posts) were that the term 'notarized' was being misused by the Thais, and was their blanket term for "officially blessed." You, with your background, apparently have figured out which roads get them their 'officially blessed' requirement.

But as MG says, what do we non Notary Publics do??

Thanks, Lop.

I am a Notary Public which made life easy for all concerned

Now, that's cheating!!

It seems the term 'notarized' can mean different things. Here in Thailand, my understanding is that notarization (at least at US Embassy/Consulate) is merely an official stating that you've sworn before him as to the validity of the paperwork. In the States, notarization, as I understand it, is simply signature witnessing.

And as MG says, to have your doctor and local sheriff go to the notary to have their signatures witnessed is nonsense; so I guess the Thai Embassy is looking for something a little more official than letterhead stationary -- but is confused about notarization in the States. But I would bet they'd take the medical and cop paperwork as long as the notary raised seal was affixed -- and this could be done by my signing in front of a notary something to the effect that 'this is a valid document.'

But, hey, use Houston, New Orleans, or Portland Honorary Consulates and you won't need notarization. And according to Mike, don't use Miami.

Any other reads on Honorary Consulates? Hawaii? Boston?

local made simvastatin is of the same quality

The local simvastatin, is there a local brand name for it, or at least a manufacturing stamp to identify it?

What's your take on pharmacies here? Are most/all found at large malls reputable? Is there one or more reputable drug store chains in Thailand?

Plus, I would assume getting meds at a hospital would be near the top for reliability; but is this cost effective?

Thanks.

Medical Certificate (notarized original + 2 copies)

How did the Embassy define "notarize?"

I doubt your doctor went to the Notary's office to have his signature witnessed(?). So, what did you need to do to 'officiate' your submissions?

Thanks. Embassy may be my path of least resistance after your example.

I first sent $50, but they wanted $75 more saying that you had to get multi-entry if you wanted a retirement visa.

Now, that is curious. Multi-entry O-As used to be the exception, not the rule. But should be well-worth the extra $75, if for no other reason than if you find yourself unable to make your first journey to Thailand within 90 days after issue (which is the single entry visa 'must use' duration).

I liked Korat. Stayed there a few years ago at a very nice hotel. But not to let building codes impede profit, it collapsed two weeks later after the four extra floors they illegally added took their revenge. (But, seriously, I did like Korat, and the wife is from there).

Oh, Roy Clarke says Korat............. oh,never mind.